According to research from independent research firm Student Monitor and the National Association of College Stores (NACS), college students spent on average $600 a year for course materials in the 2015 - 2016 academic year. Using the Student Monitor figures, the amount students spent on course materials was down 12%, or about $80, from $691 in the 2014 - 2015 academic year. During the 2015 - 2016 academic year: • Student Monitor found the average textbook spend for students was $607 • National Association of College Stores (NACS) Student Watch Report placed the average student spending at $602

“These surveys confirm that the shift to lower cost digital course materials is clearly benefitting students. Students are savvy consumers, so when presented with lower cost digital textbooks, digital discount programs and varied rental options for both print and digital course materials they can save on college expenses,” said David E. Anderson, Executive Director of Higher Education, Association of American Publishers.

For the most recent semester, Spring 2016, Student Monitor reports that students spent an average of $290 on 4.2 textbooks, averaging $69 for each item. The Student Watch survey places the average spend for course materials at $279, or $63 per course.

Educational publishers and learning companies have championed several solutions which are reducing the cost of course materials. Notably, they facilitated the transition to the less-expensive, more engaging digital materials.

The primary reasons for the reduction in student spending include: : • A shift from the traditional print textbook to digital learning materials (including eTextbooks): Digital materials are less expensive than print textbooks and offer numerous interactive features. Three quarters of respondents (75%) in the Student Watch survey said they have used a digital learning component at least once in college. • Students are savvy consumers: They compare prices for their course materials and purchase them from a variety of both physical and online markets. The typical student uses a variety of formats, acquired from multiple sources. Student Monitor reported only 16% of students purchased exclusively new textbooks. • The rental model: This less expensive option, which includes digital materials as well as print textbooks, is becoming more common. Student Monitor reports that compared to the 48% of students in Spring 2015 who planned to rent next semester, 60% of students in Spring 2016 planned to rent next semester – a 25% jump.

Digital learning products were used more often in the classroom during the 2015 - 2016 academic year than ever before. They can be used on virtually any device, including a laptop, tablet or smartphone. Content typically includes personalized interactive activities such as quizzes, tests and games, which employ personalized technology to focus on the areas where students need the most attention. Results are then forwarded to the professor in real time. These platforms can also be bundled with a digital or hardcopy textbook or paired with open educational resources. Student Monitor reports that in Spring 2016, compared to Spring 2015: • The share of students purchasing an “eTextbook” for unlimited use increased 63% • The share purchasing digital course materials for limited time use increased 100%

Only 8% of students reported using Open Educational Resources (OER) in Spring 2016 according to Student Monitor data. When OER was used in the classroom, the majority of the time commercial materials were also used.

Data from Student Monitor lists the top two reasons students said they did not purchase required textbooks as they shared course materials with other students (30%) and they heard that the professor didn’t use the textbook (27%). Student Watch reported that 74% of students indicated they did not acquire a course material because it was perceived as unnecessary for the course. ..

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Cheap-Textbooks.com was started in 1999 as a tool to help me find the cheapest textbook prices onine. It originally was a desktop widget and was moved to a website to share with other students. I like finding the cheapest textbooks and hope it helps you find the cheapest textbooks also.